Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1887-06-23
AUNT POLLY PIDGE.
Was Marian Gray Bound to Her
In Any Way?

Was Marian Gray Bound to Her
in Any Way7
Where shall we cut the tie of kim
dredP To what extent can relation
ship be diluted, before it ceases to be
relationship? have an aunt ESQ
called), who comes upon us in semi
annual visitations, which are as un-
failing and unwelcome as the spring
and autumn house-cleanings Years
ago, my beloved Aunt Mary became
the wife Of Nathan Pidge. That she
was woman of unusual independence
and strength of mind, she proved by
cheerfully adopting such an undignifed
name.
After a welded life of forty years,
Aunt Mary died, leaving Uncle Nathan
alone, in his second childhood. Per-
haps he found it insupportable to re-
main the sole representative of the
line of Pidges; or, perhaps his house,
keeper, Polly Judkins, may have
charmed him by her diligent dosing.
At all events, after year OF mourning,
he married her, and shortly afterward
died.
Now the question arises, because my
Aunt Mary was the first wife of
Nathan Pidge. does it follow that
Polly Pidge. his second wife, is at all
akin to us? She, evidently, has no
doubs Of it, but claims our hospitality
without limit.
We were cozily seated by the sitting
room fire one October evening, with
the comfortable drawn up in front of a
nicely-swept hearth, when the village
stage Cooking, with its huge, covered
top, like a Quaker bonnet on wheels)
stopped at the gate.
There was little pleasurable excite
ment at first, of wondering what visit
ors had arrived; but the next moment
enthusiasm was changed into vexation,
for there was no installing the uncoutf
figure and peculiar garments of Aunt
Polly Pidge. My mother being gone
WELCOMED the guest with as good q
grace as possible, and led her into the
room which had seemed moment be
fore, so cheerful and bright, feeling
that now its cheerfulness was all gone
"There, dear, put the bundles righ
down by the fire. SOS to take the chill
off shall want some things out O
them; and you may leave the soapstont
on the fire-frame, it will get warm b,
bedtime.
So saying, Aunt Polly seated hersel
in rocking-chair, and relieved he
carpet-sack of its contents. 1t was
peripatetic apothecary shop, was tina
sachel. Out of it came bottles of lini.
ment, camphor, ammonia and sundries
whose names despair of remembering
"You can put the walls on the man
tel, to have them handy" said Aun
Pidge, "for it appears to me I've got
spell of the sciatiky coming on"
My father, as he entered, looke'
amused. He little dreamed Of tn
suppressed vexation felt. Invent on
to prepare for this troublesome guest
with as serene face as l could com
mand. But on returning, few min
utes later, to say that tea was waiting
Aunt Pidge declared "she didn't wan
me to take extra steps for her, Nigh
bring it on waiter-she wasn't at a
particular" adding, as seemed abou
to urge her supping in a civilize
way, that besides, she was afrai
of the draught in the great dining
room"
She prevailed, and the sitting-roon
was converted into an eating-saloo
withsl, when the door-bell rang. Mos
fervently hoping the conner migf
prove to be the butchers boy, l al
swered the summons, and ushered i
Mr.. Allis.
This Mr.. Allis was our high-schoC
teacher, and quite the lion of the vi
lsge. had met him several times 6
evening parties, and this was his fir
call. He must have thought me strang'
ly agitsted, but felt much more lik
beating hasty retreat than presen
ing him to my worthy relative, VIII
sat, teacup in hand, awaiting the Intro
duction.
"Mr. Allis, Mrs. Pidge," said l, pul
posely emitting the aunt.
who, dearp" asked Aunt Pidg,
staring fixedly at the gentleman, 4
though, her ears failing her, she e,
pected her eyes to supply their place.
I've got terrible buzzing in m
ears; Tn afraid the tinny-pum is a
fected."
"Mr. Allis, our high-school teacher,
repeated.
"Oh, Mr.. Allen, your name sounc
familiar. Are you any way related
the Aliens in Stumpton7"
Mr.. Allis politely replied in the ne,
alive. L. was fortunate for me tn
Aunt Pidge, finishing her supper ju
then, gave me An opportunity fl
escaping from the room. l could be
rrecover my composure in solitud
Bathing my burning cheeks with CO
water from the kitchen pump,
thought. with deep modification. of q
Uttered room I had left. of the lit
tin cup OF catniP-teA which Aul